League One Play-Off Final: Barnsley vs Millwall

[Freethinker]

Why are Barnsley being talked about as strong favourites? I just don't see it.

Done the double over Millwall, in a great run of form etc etc

Think its just the usual looking at only one side. Take this myth of form, it is Millwall in better form.

Barnsley struggled over the line into playoffs (3 wins in last 7) only because Gillingham self destructed, while Millwall won 6 out of 7.

Barnsley smashed Walsall in the playoffs (took 2 deflections to get them on the way), but Walsall are one of those teams that hit the highs and lows and are susceptible to a tonking. Millwall had a battle with a solid Bradford team that ground out result after result.

 

[Millwall_Matt]

I don't mind us going in as 'underdogs', takes a bit of the pressure off.
There's relatively little in the form argument as mentioned above, although in the league games this season we have come off second best.
My main concern is that the large decent pitch favours their game over ours due to their flying wingers. I think we will score, so its a question of whether we are able to keep them out at the other end.

Also, talking form:
At Christmas Gregory had a measly 4 goals yet he's ended the season with 21. We've improved significantly over the last 4 months just as Barnsley have improved over the same period.

 

[WestLancsLion]

I don't mind us going in as 'underdogs', takes a bit of the pressure off.
There's relatively little in the form argument as mentioned above, although in the league games this season we have come off second best.
My main concern is that the large decent pitch favours their game over ours due to their flying wingers. I think we will score, so its a question of whether we are able to keep them out at the other end.

Underdogs suits us.

A lot will depend on the back four, especially Martin and Edwards at full back. Martin will smash whoever is on his side early but Edwards is not really that type of player.

There are big differences between the league games. I think for the first game we had Cummings, Craig, Webster and Nelson playing with Forde in goal There was no way we would stop anyone scoring with that lot at the back!

Gregory and Morison will take their chances but as you said, can we keep enough out of our net?

 

[Freethinker]

There are big differences between the league games. I think for the first game we had Cummings, Craig, Webster and Nelson playing with Forde in goal There was no way we would stop anyone scoring with that lot at the back!

Team that day was...Forde, Cummings, Ferguson, Williams, Nelson, Craig, Upson, Abdou, Gregory, Morison and Onyedimna.

Only 4 of the likely starting line up and 1 in a different position.

 

[Millwall_Matt]

If Barnsley's right winger gets at Martin then he will either tear him a new one or Martin will get sent off, or both.

He hasn't been that bad for us really. Certainly I've seen worse fullbacks play for us over the years.

 

[Jamo]

Can't believe the arrogance from some of the Barnsley fans! I suppose we might as well not turn up as you are obviously far superior. I really hope your players feel this way as well.

There are two Barnsley fans on here. One has referred to how the met are going to handle 40k Millwall fans, the other is me. Which one of us is being arrogant?

Other than that I agree, it will be a tight game with two in form sides who can beat anyone on their day. I honestly think if we are at our best we will win. I also think we'll have to be at our best to win against a very tough, competent side.

 

[Bobbin']

The more I read this thread the more I want Millwall to win.

'If we play our best, we will win'
'If Barnsley play to their potential, they will win'

What if Millwall - the side that finished 7 points ahead of Barnsley also play their best and to their potential?

Barnsley blew away a quite simply, pathetic Walsall. Great for their confidence but they're kidding themselves if they think Millwall will put up such little resistance.

 

[Millwall_Matt]

The more I read this thread the more I want Millwall to win.

See - I told you that you like us really!

 

[darren gregory]

i am in the Millwall camp as simply the best side to come to Vale all season.
Yes lost 4-0 to Burton and 5-0 to Walsall but Millwall easily the most impressive side i have seen.
Also the horrific black Joe Garner up front for Barnsley left a sour taste with his diving , rolling around and general cheating ( Ivan Toney ). Horrible side but also some good players especially Hourihane and Winnall.
Tough to call, toss of a coin.

 

[blademan89]

Millwall looked far far better in the 2 games against us, Barnsley were wank in both. However they've obviously done something right to get to this point but I do think millwall are the better side. Should be a good match I'm quite looking forward to it although I think I'll still be depressed after Saturdays inevitable championship playoff result.

 

[Jockney]

Anyway, I'm in the Family Enclosure, Block 139. Don't have a membership this year and we're bringing my ten-year-old along so it made sense. Great seats for a relatively cheap price.

 

[WestLancsLion]

Anyway, I'm in the Family Enclosure, Block 139. Don't have a membership this year and we're bringing my ten-year-old along so it made sense. Great seats for a relatively cheap price.

I'm in 139 as well with my two youngsters (6&7). As this is their first trip to Wembley I thought level 5 might be a bit too high!!

 

[Muzzle]

Well, I said Millwall and am sticking to it, think it is the only playoff final i'll watch that weekend

 

[Westbars_Spireite]

I'm gonna have money on Millwall personally. We did the double over Barnsley and we are/were shite. We won comfortably at The Den too though they were decent at our place. I'm not having this about Barnsley only having to play well - unless I dreamt it Millwall finished a chunk of points ahead of them in the table.

Miiiiiiilll

 

[Saddlerrad]

This thread is going to be an active/lively one. It also revolves around a game that will draw in worldwide attention and in doing so, be a source of outside traffic for the website. Any non-match related talk and/or tit for tat crap will be deleted and said poster banned from replying in the thread.

 

[blademan89]

This thread is going to be an active/lively one. It also revolves around a game that will draw in worldwide attention and in doing so, be a source of outside traffic for the website. Any non-match related talk and/or tit for tat crap will be deleted and said poster banned from replying in the thread.

You over last week's drubbing yet. Defo needs to be a change in the playoffs. All 3 3rd teams this year who came 15/10/10 points clear of 6th or 7th in league 2 are out. That shouldn't be allowed in my opinion. 3rd place should automatically be at Wembley I think. 5th v 6th for the right to play 4th. This needs to happen.

 

[Millwall_Matt]

You over last week's drubbing yet. Defo needs to be a change in the playoffs. All 3 3rd teams this year who came 15/10/10 points clear of 6th or 7th in league 2 are out. That shouldn't be allowed in my opinion. 3rd place should automatically be at Wembley I think. 5th v 6th for the right to play 4th. This needs to happen.

I can see the argument, but I like the current system. The fact that teams finishing third ought to be better than teams finishing sixth is enough of an advantage (albeit this year is an anomaly)

 

[blademan89]

I can see the argument, but I like the current system. The fact that teams finishing third ought to be better than teams finishing sixth is enough of an advantage (albeit this year is an anomaly)

Over the course of the season they are better but anyone can beat anyone in just a couple of games. 3rd straight at Wembley is the advantage which is deserved for coming higher. 5th plays 6th either in a one leg game at 5ths ground or 2 legs. Then a 4th v the winner of 5th/6th in a 2 legged match. Still the same amount of TV games so no money issues and it's a fair reflection on the league table.

 

[Freethinker]

Over the course of the season they are better but anyone can beat anyone in just a couple of games. 3rd straight at Wembley is the advantage which is deserved for coming higher. 5th plays 6th either in a one leg game at 5ths ground or 2 legs. Then a 4th v the winner of 5th/6th in a 2 legged match. Still the same amount of TV games so no money issues and it's a fair reflection on the league table.

Trouble is that the 3rd place team then sit on the arses for a couple of weeks while the other teams get battle hardened and steam roller the 3rd place team at Wembley.

 

[blademan89]

Trouble is that the 3rd place team then sit on the arses for a couple of weeks while the other teams get battle hardened and steam roller the 3rd place team at Wembley.

I'm sure they would happily take the 2 week break more of an advantage I'd say. But it couldn't go on more than that. That's why I'm thinking just a one leg match between 5th and 6th.

 

[Muzzle]

Actually fancy going down there as a neutral

 

[Freethinker]

I'm sure they would happily take the 2 week break more of an advantage I'd say. But it couldn't go on more than that. That's why I'm thinking just a one leg match between 5th and 6th.

Even with single leg games, the final would be 3 weeks after the season finishes, big disadvantage for the 3rd place team.

Of course, finishing 3rd is no big deal, the prize is for the top 2 and 3rd is just a playoff place, not much more deserving than 4th. 5th or 6th.

 

[TomPNE94]

The play offs are great as they are. If you finish 3rd and miss out then that's just the way it is. All teams know the rules at the start of the season.

 

[Jockney]

This game will draw in "worldwide attention"?

Poor fuckers not have netflix or literally anything else?

 

[Saddlerrad]

This game will draw in "worldwide attention"?

Poor fuckers not have netflix or literally anything else?

Massive Millwall and Brash Barnsley are playing, repeats of Only Fools and Horses are irrelevant for the day, silly!

 

[coddy]

Hopefully Millwall go up, I have no intentions of visiting The Den and Barnsley is one of the better aways with it being close to the City centre

 

[Etienne Vermeer]

Barnsley a better away day than London? Okay.

30k in ticket sales for us so far, Wembley novelty worn off I guess!

 

[Big Bird]

Think we took about 35k against Millwall, under 30k 2 years later against Chesterfield and then around 21k v Preston last season. In about 10 years it'll just be me sat there watching us lose at Wembley again, not scoring, again.

 

[Jockney]

Barnsley a better away day than London? Okay.

30k in ticket sales for us so far, Wembley novelty worn off I guess!

Fourth visit in seven years and the last time we went we were insipid shit and 20-30 of our fans started fighting amongst themselves. Not surprising, then!

 

[Agombar stool]

Barnsley a better away day than London? Okay.

30k in ticket sales for us so far, Wembley novelty worn off I guess!

He's a Fleetwood fan, I don't think they realise they are allowed to actually go to away games.